OK--- So here is the latest in explaining when we can do a dolphin kick & not get DQ'ed !!:badday:
We can do it like the Olympics:bow: swimmers!!
Oz Osborne
OK Now the Latest Official rule is :
Emergency Rule Change: Breaststroke
Modification in timing of breaststroke kick effective now!!
FINA changed the breaststroke kick rule November 29, 2014, at an extraordinary Congress in Doha, Qatar. USA Swimming automatically adopted that rule change November 30, 2014. USMS automatically adopted the breaststroke kick rule change in accordance with USMS 601.4.7B as of December 2, 2014. The amendment to the USMS breaststroke kick rule 101.2.3 is effective immediately.
Following is the text of the amended breaststroke kick rule:
"101.2.3 Kick-After the start and after each turn, at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick, a single butterfly (dolphin) kick is permitted, following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. Scissors, alternating movements, or downward butterfly (dolphin) kicks are not permitted except as provided herein. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly (dolphin) kick."
What this rule change means for swimmers and officials:
A visible separation of the hands initiating the arm pull is no longer required before the single butterfly (dolphin) kick that may be taken after the start and after each turn. A single butterfly (dolphin) kick is permitted at any time after the start or after pushing off the wall on each turn and before the first breaststroke kick.
For any questions contact: Kathy Casey, Chair, USMS Rules Committee.
Why not just do away with the dolphin kick? Seems like way more trouble than it is worth.
I guess because it was too difficult to judge whether movement of the feet was incidental (due to the pullout) or provided propulsion? Or maybe more accurately: because they didn't want to DQ high-profile breaststrokers in high-profile meets?
It has proven to be a slippery slope, IMO. Because now they are back where they started: someone does an initial kick, then pulls really hard and their feet move a little bit in a manner that is suggestive of a dolphin kick but hard to call. Not to mention the incidental movement of the feet upon the dive entry into the water, followed by the "real" DK, followed by another "accidental" DK after the pull-down.
It makes my head hurt. Personally I think they should just admit defeat and embrace the dark side: as many DKs (and pull-downs) as you want, out to 15m. :-)
Why not just do away with the dolphin kick? Seems like way more trouble than it is worth.
I guess because it was too difficult to judge whether movement of the feet was incidental (due to the pullout) or provided propulsion? Or maybe more accurately: because they didn't want to DQ high-profile breaststrokers in high-profile meets?
It has proven to be a slippery slope, IMO. Because now they are back where they started: someone does an initial kick, then pulls really hard and their feet move a little bit in a manner that is suggestive of a dolphin kick but hard to call. Not to mention the incidental movement of the feet upon the dive entry into the water, followed by the "real" DK, followed by another "accidental" DK after the pull-down.
It makes my head hurt. Personally I think they should just admit defeat and embrace the dark side: as many DKs (and pull-downs) as you want, out to 15m. :-)
